It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
